Academic medical centers trailing on cost, quality measures

A new study by consultancy firm Navigant found that academic medical centers are trailing community hospitals across cost and quality measures.

Among the findings:

Cost per case was 5.8% higher at medical centers, equating to $3.1 million added annual operating expense per center.

Cost per case disparity between high and low performers was 22% for medical centers and 19.8% for community hospitals, equating to $12 million in added annual operating expense per medical center and $9.2 million per community hospital.

Medical centers received more Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) value-based payment program penalties−40% of centers received 7 or more of 9 penalties vs 23% of hospitals.

The study, which includes CMS data for 175 academic medical centers and 212 community hospitals, is free to download. Registration required.